Page 1 of 1
[FirstPage] [Prev Page] | [Next Page] [LastPage]

• [09/30/99] NEWS FROM THE GREAT LAKES SCHOOLSHIP AND THE INLAND SEAS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Suttons Bay Michigan (231) 271-3077 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 29, 1999 Newest Great Lakes Invader Now in Lake Michigan Grand Traverse Bay - Science students on the Great Lakes Schoolship Inland Seas witnessed the discovery of a new tiny organism, Cercopagis, in Grand Traverse Bay, the first such sighting since the creature was discovered in Lake Ontario in July of 1998. It's not yet known what kind of threat the new invader poses. "Hopefully it's not another zebra mussel," said Tom Kelly, skipper of the Great Lakes Schoolship, Inland Seas. "Right now, we know it is a competitor in the food chain and may cause some trouble for other species, but it will take several months, maybe years, before the full impact is known." It's origin is known to be Caspian and Black Sea basin near Western Russia and was most likely brought to the Great Lakes in the ballast tanks of foreign freighters. "What is very disconcerting is that this particular invader has moved from Lake Ontario to Lake Michigan in just over a year" Kelly said. The organism has spread through the Great Lakes in several ways. Sport fishermen have discovered the creature attaches itself to down rigger lines, so it can move from one water system to another if the line is not wiped clean. It can also find it's way into the bilge water of pleasure boats and commercial vessels and be carried over long distances as the boat moves from lake to lake. The discovery of Cercopagis happened during a regular school program aboard the 77 foot schooner. Students were examining a plankton sample on the video microscope when volunteer instructor, Alice Buell noticed a strange variety of what appeared to be a spiny water flea, a similar species. "This is what the Schoolship is all about", explained Kelly. "While we don't discover a new species every time we take a class of students out on the water, it is for them, a voyage full of discovery. Many of our students have never had the opportunity to experience the Great Lakes in this manner. To be on board when something like this happens will be a memory that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It was a thrill for me too" said Kelly. The Inland Seas Education Association is a non-profit organization based in Suttons Bay, Michigan dedicated to science education on the Great Lakes. The shipboard education programs are designed to inspire young people's interest in science and to provide the understanding and commitment needed for the long term stewardship of the Great Lakes. For further information contact The Inland Seas Education Association in at (231) 271-3077 RELATED WEB SITES: www.schoolship.org www.cs.uwindsor.ca/users/h/hughm/private/MALE1.JPG PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON-LINE: http://www.schoolship.org/photos/MILWAUKEE/INLAND%20SEAS%20MILW.JPG (Schoolship Inland Seas) http://www.schoolship.org/photos/CRITTERS%20OF%20THE%20LAKES/CERCOPAGIS.JPG (Cercopagis) PO Box 218 Suttons Bay, MI 49682-0218 Phone: (231) 271-3077 Fax: (231) 271-3088, tmkelly
• [09/22/99] algae-x filters (fwd), richard laubly
• [09/22/99] algae-x filters, richard laubly
  • [09/22/99] linda m. goad
  <Possible follow-up(s)>
  
  • [09/22/99] Ronald Ward
• [09/21/99] Please oppose H.R. 1290 re: wetlands mitigation banking, Richard Spotts
• [09/21/99] Please Help Stop Harmful Public Trust Transfer!, Richard Spotts
• [09/05/99] Urge your U.S. Senators to support Sept. 9th SUV/fuel efficiency resolution, Richard Spotts

News | Calendar | Great Links | SOTM | E-Lists | Info Center | About GLIN
The Great Lakes | Environment | Economy | Education | Maps and GIS | Tourism

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Great Lakes Information Network
Updated: April 5, 2013
Maintained by: Christine Manninen, manninen@glc.org
Selected Photos: Copyright ©John and Ann Mahan
Contact Us | Search | Site Index
© 1993-2012